While neither account (Luke’s or Josephus’s) described Herod Agrippa’s response to the crowd, Luke explained that God acted, and he did so instantly. An angel of the Lord was God’s vehicle to strike Herod with a horrible illness, described in gory detail: So he was consumed with worms and died. Some scholars suggest that the worms were intestinal roundworms, which grow ten to sixteen inches long and rob the body of nutrients while causing intense pain.The reason for this judgment was that Herod accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. God knew what was going on in Herod’s heart and refused to share his glory with any earthly potentate. Pride is a serious sin. God chose to punish Herod’s pride immediately. God does not immediately punish all sin, but he will bring all to judgment. Those who set themselves against God are doomed to ultimate failure.
Upon the completion of their mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch, having picked up John Mark in the process. John Mark was also Barnabas’s cousin. The church at Antioch of Syria became the sending center of the mission to reach the world (the last part of Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8).
These believers were worshiping the Lord and fasting when God sent them a special message. Just as both Peter and Cornelius received messages while praying, so God spoke to these believers as they were seeking him. “Fasting” means going without food for a specified period of time in order to focus on the Lord. People who are fasting can set aside the time of preparing and eating meals and use it to worship and pray. Also, their hunger pangs will remind them of their complete dependence upon God.
Having been chosen by God to embark on what came to be called the “first missionary journey,” Paul and his entourage (Barnabas and John Mark, at the very least) set sail. The target of this evangelistic thrust was the Gentile population of Asia Minor. They followed the communication routes of the Roman Empire—this made travel easier. They first visited Barnabas’s home country. Then they visited key population and cultural centers to reach as many people as possible.
Salamis, the leading city on Cyprus, was their first stop. It was located on the east coast of the island and was the seat of government. As would become his custom for years, Saul began his witness in the Jewish synagogues. Saul’s credentials as a highly trained Pharisee—a former student of Gamaliel —would have been more than enough to prompt an invitation to speak, at least until his reputation for bringing such a radical message began to precede him.
John Mark was on the trip as their assistant. The nature of Mark’s job is not spelled out, though the word used here (hupereten) has led to speculation that he instructed the new converts and also was in charge of practical needs.
Trouble was brewing, because Bar-Jesus realized that if Sergius Paulus believed in Christ, he would no longer need a sorcerer. Apparently Bar-Jesus’ Greek name was Elymas (meaning “sorcerer” or “magician”), and he was going to do his best to stop any influence Barnabas and Saul might have on the governor.
Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, a phrase reminiscent of the way the apostles were used earlier in Acts, took center stage. Evidently this was a big turning point in Paul’s leadership of the mission.
Not intimidated by his spiritual rival, Paul boldly exposed the source of his sorcery. In Aramaic the name Bar-Jesus means “son of Jesus,” so Paul played on that name to confront him (in the presence of the listening Sergius Paulus) with the accusation that Bar-Jesus was actually a son of the Devil.
This is the first recorded presentation of the word of God to the Roman world, and it would be crucial that a clear distinction be made between Christianity and the perverted spiritualism so prevalent in the Empire. Paul’s rhetorical questioning of the sorcerer turned to an announcement of judgment, telling him that the Lord’s punishment was on him. Instantly Bar-Jesus was struck with blindness.
This miracle was all it took to convince Sergius Paulus. He believed. Notice also that his astonishment was not at the powerful act he had just witnessed but rather at what he learned about the Lord. Sergius Paulus is the highest ranking converted official recorded in the New Testament.
Leaving the city of Paphos on the island of Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed north, arriving at Perga. For an unknown reason, John Mark abruptly left the venture at that time and returned to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas continued inland to Antioch of Pisidia.
Why John Mark left them is never explained. Perhaps he was homesick; he resented the change in leadership from Barnabas to Paul; he became ill; he was unable to withstand the rigors and dangers of the missionary journey; Whatever the reason, Paul implicitly accused John Mark of lacking commitment, and, therefore, Paul refused to take Mark along on another journey (Acts 15:37-38).
John Mark’s story does not end here, though. It is clear from Paul’s later letters that Paul grew to respect Mark (Colossians 4:10) and that he needed him in his work (2 Timothy 4:11). Somewhere along the way, John Mark was restored completely to usefulness even in the ministry of Paul. He later wrote the Gospel that bears his name.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Leadership. My old Senior Pastor, William Yaeger, used to say - "You don't know what it means to be in leadership until you have blood on your tunic." What was he saying? Until you have known the blood, sweat and tears of the ministry, you don't know leadership. Until you've had to go toe to toe with the the evil one and his representatives, you don't know leadership.
Until you've had to stand against raw evil and do battle with it, you don't know leadership. Paul in this passage stands up to evil. He doesn't negotiate with it. He doesn't try to make nice with it. He stands up speaks against it. He doesn't do the PC thing, he knows about spiritual warfare and He engages in it. He doesn't run from it or cower in fear from it. Thank the Lord for a man like this.
In contrast, Mark - at this point in his life - doesn't have the goods. Paul knows this and sends him home to grow up. He might have Mark in his mind when he penned Ephesians 4:15 -
(Paul) "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him (Jesus) who is the head..." Ephesians 4:15 (RSV)
Lord, grow true disciples of Jesus Christ here at COV. Men and women who are mature in their faith and emotions and life. Men and women who will be bold and courageous and do the right thing - regardless of the cost. Men and women who will not run from evil, but recognize it and do battle against it.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
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